Bangladesh aim for series win

DHAKA - Bangladesh 's 43-run win in the first ODI against New Zealand was an important boost for a side that, prior to the series opener, had only two wins in six games this year. The win also improved their record against New Zealand, which now stands at five successive ODI wins, dating back to their 4-0 win three years ago.New Zealand, meanwhile, have been served a timely reminder that they are yet to win a match on this tour. The visitors drew the Test series 0-0, but hardly looked convincing enough to push for victory. In Mirpur, on Tuesday, they ended up conceding a game they could have won at several points.New Zealand didn't make the most of the start given by Tim Southee and while they did make a comeback of sorts in the last 10 overs, they were still faced with a target of 266. Their chase began poorly with the opening pair of Anton Devcich and Hamish Rutherford - the fifth in 13 games this year - falling to casual dismissals. They fought back after the rain break but Rubel Hossain's brilliant spell of bowling under pressure turned out to be their undoing.Although Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the rest of the series due to a thumb injury, New Zealand can take confidence from Grant Elliott's 71 off 77 balls. Corey Anderson's all-round show and James Neesham's four-wicket haul are also positives for New Zealand. Their spin attack, however, is a major concern, particularly if they bowl second under lights in Mirpur. For Bangladesh , the biggest gain was winning without Shakib Al Hasan, who was hospitalised due to dengue fever. Naeem Islam stepped up to the challenge of replacing Shakib and partnered Mushfiqur well in their 154-run stand. However, Bangladesh need runs from Tamim Iqbal, Nasir Hossain and Mominul Haque, who was a victim of poor calling by Anamul Haque.Corey Anderson has had a productive tour, scoring his maiden Test hundred and turning in a useful all-round performance in the first ODI. He took two wickets for 46, and scored 46 off 31 balls, nearly taking the game away from Bangladesh . Expect more from Anderson, especially with the bat. Rubel Hossain has had an up-and-down career for almost five years, but he finally has a performance to be proud of. His 6 for 26 equaled the record for the best bowling figures in an innings by a Bangladesh bowler and he became the third Bangladeshi to take an ODI hat-trick.

Confidence has made him a better bowler these days and the boost in the first ODI will help even more.Williamson's thumb injury is a big blow for New Zealand as he was their best batsman on the tour. Luke Ronchi is slated to replace Williamson, but will only reach Bangladesh before the final ODI, so the team management will have to pick between Colin Munro and Tom Latham. Brendon McCullum has talked about rotating his bowlers, so Adam Milne or Kyle Mills could feature in place of Mitchell McClenaghan. Bangladesh are likely to field an unchanged side.SQUADS:NEW ZEALAND: Anton Devcich, Hamish Rutherford, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, James Neesham, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Kyle MillsBANGLADESH : Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Sohag Gazi, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Mortaza, Rubel Hossain.